Royal Marines - Sharpshooter & GPMG

Royal Marines with 40 Commando, armed with a L129a1 Sharshooter (left) and a GPMG (right), pictured on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The L129a1 is a semi-automatic light sniper rifle that has been fielded by UK forces since 2010. It is chambered in 7.62mmx51mm NATO. A number of features make the L129a1 a better weapon for a marksman integrated into an infantry squad than a bolt-action weapon such as the L96A1. It has a 20-round magazine and a semi-automatic action. The Sharpshooter is fitted with a 6x48 ACOG scope that enables the user to engage targets out to 800 meters while a MOA RMR sight atop the ACOG scope allows for close quarters engagements. It also features back-up iron sights for use if the optical sights fail.